line
noun uk/laɪn/ us/laɪn/
(LONG MARK)
A2 [ C ]线，线条
a long, thin mark on the surface of something
a straight line 直线
Sign your name on the dotted line. 请在虚线处签名。
She was very old and her face was covered with lines. 她已非常年迈，脸上布满了皱纹。
My legs felt all wobbly when I stood up and I couldn't walk in a straight line (= walk without moving to the side while moving forward). 我站起来时觉得腿直打颤，走起路来左右摇晃。
- More examples
- Apply a fine line of highlighter along the middle of your top lip.
- Draw a horizontal line across the bottom of the page.
- Cut on or just inside the pencil line.
- Draw a pair of parallel lines.
- Join the points A and B together on the diagram with a straight line.
(ROW)
C2 [ C ]行，排，列
a group of people or things arranged in a row
a line of trees 一行树
The prisoners formed a line against the wall. 犯人靠墙站成了一排。
[ C ] US (UK queue)（一群人排列等候所形成的）队，排
a group of people standing one behind the other who are waiting for something
Just get in line and wait your turn like everyone else. 和别人一样排队等着去。
I had to wait/stand in line for three hours to get tickets. 我排了3个小时的队才买到票。
a long line of （相继的）一系列
a series of people or things that follow each other in time
She is the latest in a long line of controversial leaders. 在一系列颇具争议的领导者中，她是最新的一位。
He comes from a long line of doctors (= a lot of his relatives were doctors before him). 他出身医生世家。
- More examples
- A long line of traffic edged its way forward.
- A ragged line of people were waiting at the bus stop.
- There was a solid line of traffic in front of us.
- We were asked to stand in two lines three metres apart.
- She arranged all her teddies in a line on the carpet.
(DIVISION)
C2 [ C ]边线，界线；界限
a long, thin and sometimes imaginary mark that forms the edge, border, or limit of something
That ball was definitely in! It was nowhere near the line! 那个球绝对是界内！离边线还远着呢！
The police couldn't arrest him because he'd fled across the state line. 警方无法逮捕他，因为他已经逃过了国界。
For many television viewers the dividing line between fact and fiction is becoming increasingly blurred. 在许多电视观众看来，事实与虚构之间的界限已经越来越模糊了。
- More examples
- The river serves as the line of demarcation between the two counties.
- This path marks the dividing line between my land and my neighbour's.
- The president said NATO expansion will finally erase the boundary line in Europe artificially created by the Cold War.
- The ball rose in a high arc and fell behind the boundary line.
- He thought the ball had bounced on the line, but the umpire said it was out.
(PHONE)
B2 [ C ]电话线（路）
a connection to a phone system
I'm afraid your line's been disconnected because your last bill hasn't been paid. 恐怕你的电话线已经被切断了，因为上次的账单你还没付呢。
If you want to air your opinions live on the radio, the lines will be open (= you can phone) from eight o'clock. 如果你想通过电台广播发表自己的看法，可从8点起拨打电话。
I've got Chris Foster on the line for you. Do you want to take it now or call her back later? 克丽丝‧福斯特打电话找你。你想现在接电话还是过一会儿给她打回去？
formal Please hold the line (= wait). I'll see if she's available. 请等一下。我看她在不在。
- More examples
- If you'll hold the line a moment I'll hand you over to someone who might be able to help.
- She's on the phone at the moment - will you hold the line?
- I've got John on the line for you.
- His line's busy at the moment - will you call back later?
- My mother came on the line to tell me to eat properly.
(RAILWAY)
B1 [ C ]铁轨；铁道；铁路线
(the route followed by) a railway track
The train was delayed, apparently due to leaves on the line. 火车晚点了，听说是由于铁路线上的落叶所致。
The Northern Line is the worst on the London Underground. 北线是伦敦地铁最糟糕的线路。
Mainline services can be very quick, but travelling on the branch lines is much slower. 乘坐干线火车速度很快，但支线就慢得多了。
- More examples
- Due to wet leaves on the line, this train will arrive an hour late.
- The rebels had dynamited the railway line .
- The east coast railway line has been electrified.
- Trains may be subject to delay on the Northern Line - we apologize for any inconvenience caused.
- the main line between Belfast and Dublin
(APPROACH TO SUBJECT)
C2 [ C ]做法，方法；看法，立场
a way of dealing with or thinking about something or someone
The government's official line has always been to refuse to negotiate with terrorists. 政府的官方立场一贯是拒绝与恐怖分子谈判。
The courts should take a tougher line with (= punish more severely) sex offenders. 法庭应对性犯罪者实施更加严厉的惩罚。
Several Labour MPs disagree with their party's line on taxation. 几名工党议员对该党的税收政策持不同意见。
What sort of line (= method of arguing) do you think we should take in the pay negotiations? 你认为我们在工资谈判中应采取哪种策略？
The police are confident that this new line of inquiry will lead them to the murderer. 警方相信采用这种新的调查方法一定会找出凶手。
It seems inevitable that the country will be divided along ethnic lines. 那个国家似乎无法避免民族分裂的命运。
line of reasoning, thinking, etc.C2 推理/思考等的方法
a way of thinking about a particular subject
We cannot agree with their line of reasoning. 他们不能同意他们考虑问题的方法。
- More examples
- Her speech deviated little from the official party line.
- The government can't be seen to be taking a soft line with criminals.
- Ministers who wouldn't toe the party line were swiftly got rid of.
- The government is continuing to take a tough line on terrorism.
- The new head teacher takes a tough line on bullying.
(MILITARY)
C2 [ C ]防线，战线
a row of positions used to defend against enemy attack, especially the ones closest to enemy positions
They were taken prisoner while on a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines. 他们是在敌后执行侦察任务时被俘的。
figurative In a game of football, the goalkeeper is the last line of defence. 在足球比赛中，守门员是最后一道防线。
- More examples
- Journalists had insisted on getting to the front line of the battle, heedless of the risks.
- The troops took up their battle positions at the front line.
- We managed to break through enemy lines.
- There was panic on the enemy lines.
- We simply had to wait in our lines.
(SHAPE)
[ C ]（设计或创造出的）轮廓，外形线条
the shape of something that has been designed or created
They have a reputation for designing cars with elegant aerodynamic lines. 他们以设计优雅的流线型汽车而享有盛誉。
(SUPPORT)
[ C ]绳，索
a long, strong, thin piece of material, such as string, rope, or wire, used to support something
I'd hung the washing out on the clothes line. 我会把洗好的衣物晾在晾衣绳上。
Can you feel the fish tugging on the line? 你能感觉到鱼在钓线上挣扎吗？
(COMPANY)
[ C ]客运公司;运输公司
a company that transports people or goods
a shipping line 海运公司
(REMARK)
[ C ]（为达到逗乐、劝说或欺骗目的而说的）话语，词句，言语
a remark that is intended to entertain, persuade, or deceive
a speech full of memorable lines 令人难忘的讲话
He keeps giving me that line about not being able to do any work because his computer is down. 他不停地跟我说因为电脑有问题他没法干活了。
Who was it who came up with that famous line about "lies, damned lies and statistics?" “谎言，可恶的谎言和数据”这句名言是谁说的？
(WORDS)
B1 [ C ]（文本中的）字行
a row of words that form part of a text
We could get more lines on the page if we reduced the type size. 如果把字号调小一点，我们就可以在这一页上多加几行字。
The computer screen displays 80 characters per line. 计算机屏幕每行可显示80个字符。
[ C usually plural ]（电影或话剧演员的）词，台词
the words that an actor speaks when performing in a film, play, etc.
I only had two lines in the whole play. 在整出戏中我只有两句台词。
She hasn't learned her lines yet, and we've got our first rehearsal tomorrow. 我们明天就要进行首次排练了，可她连台词还没记熟呢。
I'm terrified of forgetting my lines. 我特别害怕忘词。
lines[ plural ] UK （学校里对学生作出的）罚抄写
a punishment for school students in which a sentence has to be written repeatedly
She got 200 lines for swearing at her teacher. 她因辱骂老师被罚抄写200遍。
(MUSIC)
[ C ]一串音符
a short series of musical notes
(JOB)
[ C usually singular ]行业
the type of job someone does
"What line of work are you in?" "I'm a teacher." “你是干哪一行的？”“我是老师。”
You meet some very interesting people in my line of business. 干我这行可以遇到一些非常有趣的人。
(GOODS)
C1 [ C ]（商品的）类，类别
a range of similar things that are for sale
There are discounts on many items from our older lines. 我们这里的很多旧货都打折。
I was shown all their new lines. 他们给我看了他们所有的新货。
Idioms More idioms
all along the lineidiom （关系或进程）一直，自始至终
ever since the beginning of a relationship or process
The project's been plagued with financial problems all along the line. 这个项目自始至终都受到资金问题的困扰。
along the lines of somethingidiom (also along those lines)C2 类似于，与…近似
similar in type
I was thinking of doing a meal along the lines of that dinner I did for Annie and Dave. 我想做一顿类似那次给安妮和戴夫做的饭菜。
They're campaigning for the electoral system to be reformed along the lines of (= so that it becomes similar to) the one in Germany. 他们在在争取仿照德国的选举制度对自己的进行改造。
along the same linesidiom 类似于，与…近似
similar
My sister works in publishing, and I’m hoping to do something along the same lines. 我姐姐在出版业工业，我希望做类似的工作。
be in line for somethingidiom 有可能获得（尤指好东西）
to be likely to get something, especially something good
If anyone's in line for promotion, I should think it's Helen. 如果有人会获得晋升，我觉得应该是海伦。
be in line to do somethingidiom 有做…的好时机
to have a very good chance of doing something
Kim Bailey is next in line to replace Chris Finlay as CEO. 金‧贝利有望接替克里斯‧芬利成为首席执行官。
be in line to the throneidiom 是王位继承人
to be the person who will become king or queen after the present ruler
Prince Charles is first in line to the British throne. 查尔斯王子是英国王位的第一继承人。
in line with somethingidiom C2 与…相似；与…处于同等水平
similar to, or at the same level as something
The company's results are in line with stock market expectations. 公司业绩与股票市场预期一致。
We're seeking a pay rise that's in line with inflation. 我们在努力争取使加薪幅度与通货膨胀相挂钩。
The salaries of temporary employees ought to be brought into line with those of permanent staff. 临时工的工资应该与固定工的工资保持同等水平。
off his lineidiom （足球比赛中）守门员不站在球门线上
If a goalkeeper is off his or her line, he or she is not standing along the goal line.
Neymar caught the keeper off his line with a brilliant 45-yard lob. 内马尔抓住守门员离开球门的机会，提出一脚漂亮的45度高挑球。
be on the lineidiom C2 面临危险，处于危险之中
to be at risk
Almost 3,000 jobs have been lost recently, and a further 3,000 are on the line. 最近已有将近3000人失去了工作，另外还有3000人也面临着失业的危险。
be out of line with somethingidiom 与…不同，有别于
to be different from something
Their predictions were hopelessly out of line with the actual results. 他们的预测与实际结果大相径庭。
get a line on someoneidiom mainly US 弄清（陌生人）的情况
to find out information about someone that you do not know
I've been trying to get a line on the guy they've nominated with no luck. 我一直想了解那个他们称之为倒霉蛋的家伙的情况。
have a nice, good, etc. line in somethingidiom UK informal 善于做，擅长于
to do something skilfully and successfully
He has a good line in anecdotes. 他很会讲趣闻轶事。
in the line of dutyidiom 在工作中;在执行任务时
Something that happens to you in the line of duty happens when you are doing your job.
This year alone eight police officers have been killed in the line of duty. 仅今年一年就有8位警官殉职。
line of sightidiom 视线（某人看某物的方向）
the direction in which a person must look in order to see a particular object
The cannon can be linked to the line of sight of the gunner so that it points in the same direction that he is looking in. 大炮可与炮手的视线连成一线，因此它所瞄准的方向和炮手观察的方向一致。
put/lay something on the lineidiom 使…冒风险
to risk something
Firefighters put their lives on the line every working day. 消防队员每天上班都要冒着生命危险。
somewhere along the lineidiom （关系或进程的）某个时刻
at some moment during a relationship or process
I don't know what went wrong with our relationship, but somewhere along the line we just stopped loving each other. 我不知道我们的关系出了什么问题，只是不知从什么时候开始我们已不再相爱了。
step/be out of lineidiom C2 出格;犯错;行为不当
to behave in an unsuitable way
It was made quite clear to me that if I stepped out of line again I'd be out of a job. 他们和我讲得很清楚，我如果再犯错就会丢饭碗了。
line
verb [ T ] uk/laɪn/ us/laɪn/
(FORM ROW)
C2 沿着…形成一排
to form a row along the side of something
Thousands of people lined the streets to watch the presidential procession pass by. 数千人站在街道两旁观看总统车队通过。
Police lined the route of the demonstration. 警察站在游行路线的两侧。
country lanes lined with trees 乡村林荫路
(COVER)
衬;铺，垫
to cover the inside surface of something
I lined the drawers with old wallpaper. 我用旧墙纸垫抽屉。
How much would it cost to have this jacket lined? 给这件夹克衫做个内衬需要多少钱？
Full-length mirrors lined each wall of the bathroom. 洗手间的每一面墙上都挂着全身镜。
Idiom
line your pocket(s)idiom （以欺骗或非法手段）敛财，搞钱；中饱私囊
to earn money using dishonest or illegal methods
Staff at the bank have apparently been lining their pockets with money from investors' accounts. 很显然，银行职员一直在挪用投资者账户中的资金为自己赚钱。
Phrasal verbs
line (someone) upB2 排列，排队;使（某人）排成行
to arrange people or things in a row or to stand in a row
A fight broke out behind me as we lined up to receive our food rations. 我们排队领取配给的食物时，在我后面有人打起架来。
The soldiers lined us up against a wall and I thought they were going to shoot us. 士兵们让我们靠墙排成一排，我以为他们要向我们开枪了。
line something upC1 准备;组织;安排
to prepare, organize, or arrange something
Do you have anything exciting lined up for the weekend? 这个周末你有什么好安排吗？
I've lined up a meeting with them for tomorrow morning. 我已经和他们约好明天上午见面。
[ + to infinitive ] Do you have anyone lined up to do the catering at the Christmas party? 你是否已经安排人承办圣诞晚会的饮食服务了？